Water heater



' 1,615 831 J. E. ERCANBRACK WATER HEATER Filed July 5, 1925 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 men 101,"

1927' J. E; ERCANBRACK WATER HEATER w t W Patented Feb. 1, 1927.

JOHN EDWARD ERCANBRACK, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

, WATER fiEATnn.

\ I Application filed July 3, 1925. Serial No. 41,397.

My present invention relates to the production of a water heater particularly designed for securing a supply of hot water for domestic or economic purposes through V the installation of the device in the water of the boiler now usually employed for heating the premises. V

The first condition of such an installation is that the space within the boiler is rigidly "limited and for the .available space it is desirable to have as effective a heater as possible and, for this reason, the heater should provide a maximum of surface, subject to the action of the boiler water, forthe space allowed. Also, as a change in temperature of the water being heated causes the deposition of solid matter which it may contain, the structure must be. capable of thorough and extensive cleaning or by reason of the deposition of solid matter from the water the efliciency of the apparatus will be greatly impaired even if the functioning is not, partially or Wholly interrupted.

Beside these capabilities the structure should be such as to permit of economic manufacture and simple and economic installation and should, further, be of such sturdy and substantial construction as to last indefinitely without requiring replace-' ments or repair.

Inorder to accomplish the objects heretofore enumerated I provide a plurality of v spaced and definitely arranged tubes for insertion into the water of the boiler and v within these tubes are disposed interior tubes carefully spaced from the interior of the exterior tubes so as to compel the water entering through the interiortubes to pass in a comparatively thin layer withinthe exterior tubes which are subject to the action of the heating medium. For the perfect working of such an arrangement the exterior tubes are secured together at both ends and are, further, provided intermediate their ends with a spacing andsupporting saddle suitably adapted to rest upon one or more of the many rivets employed in the crown sheets of boilers, whereby the tubes are mounted and supported straight and in definite parallel relation with one another.

'As will hereafter appear, the exterior tubes are secured to a flange which, in its turn,

is secured between gaskets to the boiler face and to the head or casing through which water is supplied to the interior tubes and finds escape from the exterior tubes.' The interior tubes,'as will hereafter be seen, are seemed so as to have access to a cylindricaL .member extending between opposite openings inthe head which cylindrical member and the attached tubes may be easily and readily removed for the cleaningof the interior of the exterior tubes and both the interior and the exterior of the interior tubes 6.

whenever suchf-cleaning is'necessary or- M illustrated in the accompanying drawings in 7 which Fig. 1 is a side elevation of my invention shown in relation to an end plate of a boiler; 1

Fig. 2 is a view of the elements of the saddle disassembled and transverse section..80 on line 2-2 Fig. 1 showing the assembly with the tubes of the heater;

Fig. 3 is a front elevation of the structure shown in Fig. 1- with the front plugremoved; Fig. 4 is a section on line 4-4 of Fig. 1; Fig. 5 is a fragmental perspective of-an interior tube showing the arrangement of spacers therewith;

Fig. 6 is a central vertical, longitudinal section through the head and also through the tubes extending from one side thereof;

Fig. 7 is a perspective of the cylindrical element with fragments of interior tubes secured thereto;

Fig. 8 is a sect-ionshovvingnn assembly between an interior tube and the cylindrical element;

Fig. 9 is asection on line 99 of Fig. 6;

Fig; 10 is a perspective ofa short length 10 of tube used in reducing the capacity of the. structure; and

Fig. 11 is a view of the plate, or closure, for the front of the cylindrical element.

Fig. 12 is a rear elevation of disc- 14 drawn to a reduced scale.

Fig. 13 is a fragmental' section illustrating an assembly of one of the short tubes 44.

he same reference characters are employed to designate the same members throughout the several views.

The exterior tubes are of suitable gauges of copper tubing, the inner, or

remote, ends ofwhich are provided with a depressed bead, 11. Seating upon this bead, 11, and within tube, 10, is a disc, 12, of relatively heavy copper plate. This disc is ment of the respective tubes, 10, from unequal expansion or otherwise with a minimum of relative displacement, I secure the ends of the tubes, 10, to plate, 10, by brazing or other suitable method at their-outer seg ments, 10", only, so that when a tube shortens or lengthens the relative displacement of the "tubes is upon a" relatively long arc, m, having the outer edge of the opposite tube as a center, as shown in Fig. 6. The outer, or proximate, ends of the exterior tubes, 10, are secured in openings, 13, in a disc, 14,

' of comparatively heavy metal. The portion of the disc, 14, adjacent-its periphery is provided with circumferential corrugations, 15,

'upon both surfaces to receive the soft metal gaskets hereafter to be described, and upon the remote face with radial ribs, 14, to lend additional strength. The exterior tubes, 10, extend a .short distance through and are brazed to the 'disc, 14.

The saddle element for supporting and holding in spaced relation the tubes, 10, comprises two semi-tubular pieces of sheet metal, 22, spaced and connected through a small portion of their extent by a web, 23, which Web is perforated for the passage of the connecting screw, 24. These semi-tubular 1 pieces of metal support the two lowermost tubes, 10, and hold them in the desired spaced. relation. An intermediate spacer element, 25, clearly shown in Fig. 2, has its bifurcated ends, '26, bent, or curved, respectively up and down; the down-turnedends embracing the tops of the lowermost tubes, 10, and-the up-turned ends embracing the bottoms of the uppermost tubes, 10. The member, 25, is also centrally perforated for the passage of the connecting screw, 24. I Two wedge-shaped washers, 27 one of which is centrally bored and tapped, and the other of which is perforated, are provided. The

bored and tapped washer is preferably placed beneath the Web, 23., and adjacent the tubular pieces, 22, and the perforated washer isplaced directly thereabove and above and between the uppermost tubes, 10,

and theretaining screw, 24, is passed through V the perforations in the uppermost wedgeshaped washer-,member 25, and web, 23, and secured into the lower tapped washer, 27. The saddle so constructed may, by loosening the retaining screw, be -moved to any desired locality on the tubes, 10, and, by

tightening the retannng' screw, 24, may be set the desired position. This saddle, in con unction witlr'thc end plates, gives sufficient support to the tubes so as to prevent all tendencies to twist or get out of parallel, and also supports the tubes in the desired spaced relation by adjusting the saddle so as to rest upon crown plate of the boiler or any rivet in the crown plate, of which rivets there are usually a great many.

The exterior head, 16, as clearly shown in Fig. 3 i's'a substantially rectangular casting having internally threaded circular .bosses, 17, upon its top, bottom right and left sides and front. The rear of the head, 17, is provided with a short neck, 18, which terminates in a plate, 19, closing the end of the neck and perforated to receive the proximate ends of the tubes, 10. The plate, 19. extends beyond the neck to provide a collar. the outer face adjacent the edge thereof being provided with a groove, 20, for securing the li s of lugs, 21, by means of which the head is secured to the disc, 14, and boiler plate, 22.

The interior tubes, 28, are of a size to enter the exterior tubes, 10, and to leave between the walls of the respective tubes room for a layer of water of the desired thickness. In order to properly space the tubes,

.28, and the tubes, 10, spacing lugs, or bosses,

are provided. These may either be screws. 29, orrivets, 30. Either form is seated in perforationsprovided in the tubes, 28. The

spacing bosses, or lugs, are disposed, pref-J erably, around the tube circumferentially, about one-third of the circumference apart. The lugs are also longitudinally separated upon the, tubes, 28, so that a minimum interference with circulation willbe caused. In

the drawings'I have shown but one set, or group, of spacing lugsfor each tube, 28, but with very long tubes it is obvious that two, or even three, groups ofspacing lugs may be employed. at different locations along the tube.

' The proximate, or outer, ends 0f the tubes, 28,-are provided with exterior beads, 30; the inner ends of these tubes being open so as to carry the cold water, or rather the entering water, as it is heated somewhat by bosses, 17, of the head. Provided trans- -versely to thecylindrical'member', 31, and

adjacent the respective corners thereof, are tubular developments, 32, both ends whereof are open, and the central portion of these tubular developments merge with the cylinder, 31. The outer. or proximate, endsof the interior tubes, 28, seat in the inner ends of. the tubular developments, 32, the head, on the said tubes controlling the extent .of their insertion into the developments, 32.

After the tubes, 28, have been inserted as aforesaid their inner ends are expanded to hold them securely in place. The cylindrical member on its front face is centrally apertured at '31 to provide means for readily withdrawing it from the head,

The assembly of the abovementioned and associated parts are clearly shown in Fig. 6.

The front boiler plate, 22, is apertured to permit of the passage of the group of-tubes,

1.0, and the inner end plate and saddle therethrough. 'A soft metal washer, 33, with a right-angle flange, 34, is placed adjacent the boilerplate, 22, with the flange, 34, extend ing into the aperture therein, so as to prevent the tubes, 10; from coming in contact .with the boiler plate- The disc, 14, with thetubes, 10, brazed therein, is brought against the washer, 33, and another soft metal washer, 35, is placed upon the forward side of disc, 14, and the plate, 19, is

placed thereon so that the aperture in said plate registers with the. forward ends of tubes, 10,- extending through disc. 14.

Stud bolts, 36, are tapped into boiler plate,

22 about the aperture therein and over these stud bolts are adjusted the perforated,

lipped lugs, 21. which co-operate with the grooves, 20, adjacent the periphery of said plate, 19, and nuts, 37, are screwed upon these stud bolts to draw the parts firmly to- The inner tubes, 28,- assembled with the tubular developments, 32, upon the cylindrical element, 31, are now inserted into the "outer tubes: 10. so that the cylindrical element will extend between the lateral bosess,

17. upon the head, 16. Either the right or Y left hand boss on the head, if a single unit of my structure is employed, is used for connection with the pi e for supplying the water to be heated and is closedby a suitable plug, 38. If, however, more than one unit is tobe installed a nipple is inserted in the opposite boss, 17

and into the adjacent boss of the next unit so that the water supply can flow directly the opposite boss, 17,

into the several units and not in series through the first and then the succeeding units.

storage tank or the premises to be supplied with hot water. as the case may be. It will be noted by reference to Fig. 7 that a perforation, 31 is put directly in the top of the cylindrical element, 31, so as to permit of the escape of any air finding its way into or liberated in the system and to prevent air from being trapped in the interior tubes and the element, 31. I, p

A closure, or cover, 39. goes over the frontv of the element, 31, and closes the front ends of the tubular developments, 32 and the aperture 31*. This closure. 39, has acentrally located boss, 40. which seats in the aperture, 31. One end of the spring, 41. seats on the outer face of the closure, 39, and the other end thereof seats in a depression, 42, in the plug. 43, that closes the front boss, 17.

The. lower boss, 17,- is useful. principally,

The top boss, 17 of the head,'16, connects with the hot water pipe to the hot water in flushing out the structure. The presence of the divers bosses, 17. however, allows considerable flexibility in installation to suit the divers conditions met in practical installation. 7 c

It sometimes happens that a single unit.

will heat the water to a higher temperature than 18 desirable for aparticular installation.

,in which case I have provided the short tubes, 44, wit-h reduced ends. one or -more whereof, as may be required. are lnserted in the tubular developments, 32, with their re duced ends in the outer, or proximate. ends of the tubes, 28, thereby elim'nating that particulartube from the system of circulation. a

It will be seen from the foregoing description, taken in connection with the illustrations. that I have provided a water heater,

capable of being formed in units. in which an extremely large surface, subject totlic action of the heating medium, is provided. which also forces the water to be heated in layers of desiredthickness over the surface subjectto the action of'the" heating inedium; further, I have provided a structure which permits of disassembly for thorough and complete cleaning and that without interfering in any respect with the functioning of the boiler with'which it is combined. It will further be seen that the apparatus is capable. of simple and economical insta lation and that, barring accident, it is capable of indefinite service.

Having described my invention. what I claim is new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is: I

1. A water heater comprising a plurality of exterior" tubes closed at their remote ends,

a disc through which said tubes pass and are lit) secured for supporting and holding the proximate ends of said tubes in spaced rela-' tion, means for securing together, and

spacing the remote-ends of said tubes,

' form having a rearward extension perforated'to receive the proximate ends of said exterior tubes, said head being provided with ports upon its lateral and front faces,- a hollow removable element extending between a pair of, opposite lateral ports of said head,'said hollow element being provided with transverse hollow developments, inte rior tubes mounted in the remote ends of said developments and extending into said exterior tubes, longitudinally spaced radial means for spacing said exterior and interior tubes, and means for securing said disc and said headtogether and to a boiler plate.

2. A water heater comprising a plurality of exterior tubes closed at their remote ends, a disc through which said tubes pass and are secured for supporting and holding the proximate ends of said tubes in spaced rela receive tion, means for securing together, and-spacing the re ote ends of said .tubcs, an exterior head 0 substantially rectangular form having a earward extension-perforated to I e proximate ends of said exterior tubes, said head being provided with ports. upon its lateral and front faces, a hollow removable element extendingbetween a pair of opposite lateral ports of said head, said hollow element being provided with transverse hollow developments, interior tubes mounted in the remote ends of said develop- "ments and extending into said exterior tubes,

longitudinally spaced radial means for spac-' ing said exterior and interior tubes, and means for'securing said disc and said head together and to a boiler plate.

3. A water heater comprising a plurality of exterior tubes closed at their remote ends, a disc through which said tubes pass and are secured for supporting and holding the" proximate ends of said tubes in spaced rela-- tion, means for securing together, and spacing the remote ends of said tulxes, an exterior head of substantiallyrectangularform having a rearward extension perforated to receive the proximate ends of said exterior tubes, said head being provided with ports upon its lateral and front faces, a hollow removable element, extending between a pair of opposite lateral ports of said head, inte rior tubes secured to and communicating with said hollow element and extending into said exterior tubes, longitudinally and horizontallyspaced radial means for spacing" 1 said exterior ,and mterior tubes, and means for securing said disc and said head together and to a boilerplate.

4. A water heatercomprising a plurality vided with transverse hollow developments,

interior tubes mounted in the remote ends of said developments andlextending into said exterior tubes, a removable tube seated in one of said developments, longitudinally spaced radial means for spacing said ex-.

.terior and interior tubes, and means for securing said disc and said head together and to a boiler plate.

5. A water heater comprising a plurality of exterior tubes closed at their remote-ends,

a disc through which said tubes pass and are secured for supporting and holding the proximate ends of said tubes in spacedflrelation, means for securing together, and

spacing the remote ends of said tubes. an exterior head perforated to receive said exterior tubes and provided with 'a plurality ofports two whereof are opposite, a hollow removable element extending between a pair of opposite 'lateral ports of said .head, interior tubes secured to andcommunicating with said hollow element and extending into said exterior tubes, longitudinally spaced radial means for spacing said exterior and interior tubes,- and means for securing said disc and said head together and to aboiler plate.

6. In a hot water heater including a plurality of exterior and interior tubes, a head perforated to receive said exterior tubes, said head being provided with a plurality'of ports two whereof are opposite, a hollow element removably mounted in said head and' establishing communication between said opposite ports, the proximate ends of said interior tubes having communications with said hollow element, said interior tubes extending and opening ad ends of said exterior tubes.

7 In a hot water heater including a plurality of exterior and interior tuheshaving communication at their remote ends, aheadperforated to receive said exterior tubes, said head being provided with a plurality of ports two whereof are opposite, a hollow element remo'vably mounted in said head and establishing communication between' said opposite ports, the proximate ends of said interior tubes having communication with said hollow element said hollow ele iacent the remote 1 ment being perforated at substantially its opposite lateral ports of said .head, hollow 10 highest point to permit the escape of air developments at right angles to the axis trapped therein. of said hollow member said developments I 8. In a hot water heater includinga plualigning with said tubes, and interior tubes 5 rality of'exterior spaced tubes, a head hav' mounted in the rear ends of said developing ports upon its lateral and front sides, ments and extending and opening into said 15 and perforations upon its rear into which exterior tubes. said tubes extend, a hollow member adapted a r r to enter said front port and extend between a J. EDWARD EROANBRACK. 

